You know the feeling. It’s absolutely scorching out (yes that happens in Vancouver sometimes). You really want to get outside and get your sweat on, but it’s the weekend. You also want to relax. Perhaps a beach day at English Bay or Kits Beach, you think to yourself. A dip in the ocean would be oh so refreshing.

Don’t settle. You can have both!! Take a hike along one of the trails below so you can still tag #thesweatlife in your Insta but also #sundayfunday as you laze around, lakeside bevvy in hand, surrounded by mountaintops. Now THAT is a west coast swim sesh. Get on it!

Vancouver is teeming full of epic swimming holes. Below are some of our faves. For the stats of each hike visit my hiking trail stats page at http://hikesnearvancouver.ca/hiking-trails/all-hikes/

These first five hikes finish with a lake you can swim in surrounded by some seriously epic vistas, but note they are galacial lakes so they are FREEZING. On a hot summer day you can definitely take a dip but you won’t want to spend much time in the water. Admiring the stunning azure colour from shore is much better.

Garibaldi Lake

Joffre Lakes

Elfin Lakes

Berg Lake

Wedgemount Lake

Here are swimming spots near Vancouver for normal people:

Deeks Lake

Lindeman Lake

Cat Lake

Nicomen Lake

Whyte Lake

Jones Lake

Buntzen Lake

Callaghan Lake

Here are a bunch more swimming spots near Vancouver I can’t find my photos of:

Sasamat Lake

Brohm Lake

Alice Lake

Lynn Canyon

Madeley Lake ( Whistler)

Lost Lake (Whistler)

Alouette Lake

Cultus Lake

Trout Lake

Pitt Lake

Rolley Lake

Alpha Lake

Lucille Lake (Squamish)

Cabin Lake (Cypress)

Capilano Canyon

Harrison Lake

Sam Lake (Cypress)

Theagill Lake (Cypress)

BTW don’t be a moron. This article is not a guide; it’s just for inspiration and a starting point for you to do some planning. Do your research before heading out into the wilderness so you know what you’re getting yourself info. Not all hikes are safe year-round (ie high elevation hikes are snow-covered typically until July).  Always carry these 10 essentials and be watersmart.

Great stuff eh? Learn more about great adventures Near Vancouver by following me on Instagram @hikesnearvancouver, and becoming a Patron to access exclusive content about exploring this great region of ours!